Yum! MMMM Que Rico by Pat Mora Book Review

 

Written by Pat Mora

Illustrated by Rafael Lopez 

Published by Lee and Low Books in 2007

ISBN: 978-1584302711

Plot Summary: This is a collection of poems that is written in Haiku with an informational section next to each poem to learn more about different types of food. The set of haikus was about blueberries, chile peppers, chocolate, corn, cranberry, peanuts, pecan, pineapple, potatoes, prickly pears, papaya, pumpkin, tomatoes, and vanilla. The information section for each gives more information about the food, with some of the information given about how it was used for different purposes as well as letting us know where the food was from and where it is currently being used today. Pat includes information about how it is used in the U.S. as well as in other countries like Mexico. 

Critical Analysis (Including Cultural Markers): Lopez does a wonderful job of being culturally relevant and making sure that the art that he uses has a distinctive Latino influence as well as being vibrant and pleasing to the eye. The illustration of the pineapple stands out for its personification whereas many of the other haikus have more traditional pictures of families enjoying those foods that Mora talks about in her haikus. Mora does well in making sure that she chose foods that were native to Latino culture but also bridging the gap to the U.S. with her collection of facts and figures. The information is useful to the reader and the peanut stands out as she includes the information about George Washington Carver and how he developed 300 uses for peanuts. She celebrates the diversity that food brings to our lives as everyone can enjoy foods that are not usually associated with their culture and she shows how food is something that brings us together. Cultural markers are evident as Mora takes the time to sprinkle in Spanish words into the story such as in the haiku about the prickly pear where it talks about the prickly pear turning into syrup and dulces. The story and illustrations work together to create an engaging book of poetry that anyone can enjoy. 

Review: 

CHILDREN'S LITERATURE: “Boldly-colored illustrations, acrylic on wooden panels, accompany poems lauding the attributes of foods native to the Americas. Each poem conveys the essence of the subject foodstuff.” “Each two-page spread includes a detailed sidebar. Some readers might just enjoy the haiku and the wonderful drawings. The additional information is interesting”.

KIRKUS REVIEWS: “Haiku celebrating the diversity of edible plants native to the Americas-blueberries, chocolate, prickly pears, pecans and more. Each spread includes an informative paragraph explaining the probable origin, history and some trivia for the plant described in the poem.

Connection: This book would be a great book to read in a poetry unit as well an going cross curricular with the health unit that is taught in science as all the foods that are mentioned in her book are healthy when consumed in moderation. Students could create their own haikus about the food that they eat on a daily basis or you could have a haiku tasting party where each student writes a haiku about a food and then brings it in for everyone to taste. 

More books by Pat Mora 

Book Fiesta!: Celebrate Children's Day/Book Day; Celebremos El dia de los ninos/El dia de los libros. ISBN: 978-0061288777

Gracias / Thanks. ISBN: 978-1600602580

Tomas and the Library Lady. ISBN: 978-0375803499







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